Caught on Camera…..The cooler weather is finally here with the leaves changing colors, meaning the Fall Hunting season is upon us. A super time to reflect on a busy summer and to plan trips for the Fall Hunt. Multiple seasons start in a matter of weeks…. Read More of the Story…
Old Time Shooting…A great Fall weekend has just past us by, with most of us utilizing it to the fullest. Whether its doing some things around the house, going for a hike, hunting or shooting some clays the daylight available is becoming less with our activities becoming greater. Usually around this time of year is when I’m zeroing in my rifle along with getting in some clay pigeon shooting to spike my small game hunting skills. That’s exactly what I was Read More of the Story…
Fall ColorsI had the opportunity to get out of the office a few times in the last couple of weeks to enjoy the great outdoors and splendor of the fall colors in Minnesota. It has been so nice and beautiful out that I just couldn’t help but take a few snapshots of the nature around me!
Grouse or Not…Great Fall DayWhat a beautiful month of October it has been in Minnesota, just perfect. Cool mornings leading into warm sunny afternoons. Some would say its dry, it has been, but I can also remember a wet summer and in particular a date in July when we received two inches of rain in two hours. Either way, moisture is on its way sometime soon. Meanwhile every hunter is loving life with this weather lately.
Today I got out into the great American wilderness and did some grouse hunting. Now that great American wilderness, near Pillager, MN which is a beautiful place, has civilization somewhat close. The day was another beauty. Temperature was approximately 45-50 degrees with abundant sunshine and a little breeze from the N-NW. I didn’t get the early morning hunt, which I would have preferred, because of some morning obligations. The time was around 11AM when I was geared up and out on the logging road in search of the Ruffed Grouse. This particular logging road is no stranger to me, since I’ve been hunting in that particular area for over 20 years. Yet, it always is a changing landscape. The surrounds are oh so familiar, but with some minor tweeks that lead you to ponder why does that look a little different. The walk was at a slow pace, stopping every so often for a couple minutes to listen in and scan for movement. This leads to a slight off the road scamper every once in awhile also. Since I do not have a hunting dog, this method is one I find effective.
Shortly into the walk I come across some remains of bone, not human I think. Some creature/animal must have gotten a little hungry and pounced on another for a tasty meal, such is the way of the wilderness. The relaxing smell of Fall is settling in, the leaves rustling of leaves in a slight breeze and utter peacefulness. One of many reasons we fellow hunters love the outdoors. As my eyes are surveying the woods, I spot a dark round object in a tipped over pine tree. My eyes dial in on it. The object is a porcupine climbing up the tree, ever so slow and almost gracefully. That captured my attention for awhile. The hunt continued, until I came across some more remains of bone. A trend is starting to develop I thought, no worries because thats where it ends. No more were spotted the rest of the hunt.
There were a few periodical stops for some photo opportunities of the Rod and Rifle Rag in the outdoors, the background was just to tempting to do it. By this time my shooting stick was itching to get some lead out. Since I hadn’t came across a grouse to shot at yet, I just threw some out in the woods for pleasure. The shooting stick reloaded and fired fine, had some issues last season and had it into the gunsmith. That made me happy since I’m planning a Pheasant hunting trip at the end of the month and don’t want to have to take into a gunsmith this time of year in fear of not getting it back in time for that trip. Time went by without any worries, spent hunting and gathering thoughts. The grouse were not there for me today, but a great fall day was and I utilized it.
Prez. @ Davis J. Hennes, LLC
Fall Is Upon Us – Mother Nature Says SoThis summer has been no different than any other summer – it came and it went before we knew it. Not that summer is actually over. It’s just that the feeling has changed. Darkness arrives earlier each night, woodland plants are looking weak and the poison ivy is turning red, and there is a tell-tale sharpness in the chill of evening. Summer is slowly heading south. Read More of the Story…
